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Dog Care the A-Z List

A – Agility is a great sport for high energy dogs. It also creates a deeper bond between dog and owner.

B – Boarding options should be researched in advance to ensure your dog will be comfortable and will be well cared for when you have to be away from him.

C – Collars shouldn’t be tight or constricting. Make sure you can easily slide two fingers under the collar.

D – Dog parks are a great way to allow your dog time to socialize with other dogs and expend some of their energy. They are also a wonderful place for the owner to make new friends.

E – Emergency veterinarian clinics are available in many locations. Research your area and find the one closest to you, so you know where to go in case of a medical emergency.

F – Food for dogs come in a wide variety of quality. Reading the label will help you find food that has quality ingredients. Try to stay away from brands that are made of corn and meat byproducts to keep your dog healthy and happy.

G – Grooming your dog can be great bonding opportunity. Most dogs love to have their coats brushed. However, bath time can be a bit tricky with a dog. It is important to be patient, positive, provide warm water, and do your best to make your dog comfortable.

H – Heartworms are deadly parasites that live in the heart and they are transmitted by misquote bites. Heartworm prevention can save your dog’s life. Talk to your veterinarian if your dog is not already on a heartworm prevention medication.

I – Identification is important, in case your dog ever gets lost. Putting tags on your dog’s collar and having them microchipped will increase the chances of your dog returning home.

J – Jumping is a common problem with dogs. To teach a dog not to jump, ignore them whenever they try it. I will turn away from the dog and not even look at them, until they become calm.

K – Kids love to pet dogs, but it is important to monitor them for the dog’s safety and the children’s safety.

L – Leashes come in a variety of styles. Retractable leashes can be dangerous, because they break easily. They can also get stuck, which makes it difficult to get your dog under control in a potentially dangerous situation.

M – Mothers and puppies should stay together for at least six to eight weeks. The puppies need time to mature and be weened. They also benefit by learning appropriate dog manners from their mother and their siblings.

N – Natural disasters happen all over the world. It is important to have a plan for your dog in case of emergency situations.

O – Oral hygiene is often overlooked in dogs, but having an unhealthy mouth can cause other medical problems. Dry food is better for the dog’s teeth. It is also important to have their teeth regularly cleaned.

P – Paws are another area that tends to get overlooked. Dogs need their nails trimmed to prevent foot pain and injury. They also need the pads on their feet inspected for any cuts or abrasions that may need to be treated.

Q – Quite spaces to rest are important to dogs. They like having a little personal space from time to time. Teach children not to disturb the dog, when they are in their quite/personal resting space.

R – Rescue organizations are full of dogs of every size and breed. Dogs get sent to these places for a number of reasons and it is often not the dog’s fault. You can find a great dog by checking your local rescue organization.

S – Socialization is important for all dogs. They need to know how to behave around other dogs and people. When socializing your pet, try to introduce them to all kinds of people.

T – Training your dog can be fun and creates a deeper bond between you and your pet. Training can be done at home or you can take your dog to a training school. I enjoy the training schools, because we get to meet different people and practice training skills in a wide variety of settings.

U – Understanding your dog will improve your relationship with your dog. Dogs use body language to communicate with us and other dogs. You can easily learn what your dog is saying by reading books on dog body language or doing a little bit of online research.

V – Vaccinations help your dog stay healthy and live a longer life. A lot of countries require dogs to be vaccinated for rabies, but there are other diseases that can be prevented through vaccinations (parvovirus, distemper, bordetella, and canine hepatitis).

W – Walking your dog can be a lot of fun for both you and the dog. Dogs love to explore and sniff new areas. They also love doing fun things with their owner.

X – Xerox copies of important documents (vaccination records, microchip information, and other medical documents) can be a life saver in emergency situations.

Y – Yacking or spitting up stuff is a common problem. Dogs will vomit much easier and more often than humans. When a mother dog is trying to ween her puppies, she will eat food and then regurgitate it back out for the puppies. This allows the puppies to go from milk to soft foods and eventually to eating regular food. That’s why dogs are more prone to vomiting. However, it can also be a sign that your dog needs medical attention.

Z – Zest and a zeal for life is common among dogs. They tend to appreciate the mundane things of life and bring joy to those around them.

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12 thoughts on “Dog Care the A-Z List”

A few years ago, my mom, my niece, and myself all lived in different houses. Mom was having a lot of medical problems. Gwen, my niece, was living with her grandfather that is 80 years old and he was also struggling. We went to court and I have legal custody of Gwen now. My mom sold her house and I sold my house, then we bought a house together that would be perfect for the three of us and our dogs. We have five dogs in the home, so things like training, exercise, and proper preventive medical care are essential to a happy home for everyone (dogs and humans). As you can see from the pictures, we work hard to care for our five boys. They are all happy and thriving.

Sounds like you have done a great job for all of your family, human and canine. It’s so much work taking care of dogs but so rewarding. Our 7 years as the owners of Playful Pooch in Denver were absolutely amazing.